Toy airplane



R. .E nowb Dec. 20, 1927.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 N w 1 .1./. 4 w Q Q m .1 i w ll k M n\ H1 @Q Q M w R. E. Down TOY AIRPLANE I Dec. 20, 1927.

2 Sheets-Sheet I 2 Original Filed Dec. 8. 1922 .INVEN:TOR. ffayr/m/za/ zfflawal 'YJ/ W ATTORNEY I Patented Dec.- 20, 1927..

more stares l \J RAYMOND E. DOWD,.OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH T0 WILLIAM '1. THOMAS.

TOY AIRPLAETE.

Application filed December 8, 1922, Serial Ito. 605,62 Renewed May 31, 1927.

This invention relates to toy airplanes, one object being to provide an articl of this type of high aerodynamic efficiency and a practical and inexpensive form of construction.

Another object is to provide a toy airplane having a form of construction affording flying efficiency and adapted to durably 'maintain its form in use, and embodying also advantageous features by means of which the article may be conveniently disassembled in part for packaging and ship nient in small space. 1

A further object is to provide a toy airplane of the above characterhaving propelling means of a simple and effective nature convenient to operate.

Further objects are to provide such an article with an eflicient construction for the propeller and the undercarriage {and for ballasting theairplane. To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts as will hereinafter be more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is-a side elevation of a toy airplane embodying the present invention:

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same.

' of the body are integral stabilizing planes somewhat reduced in size;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3*- a of Figure 4 of the construction of the main sustaining plane;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the airplane;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional elevation on the line 5* -5 of Figure 4;

V Figure 6 is an enlarged detail'view illustrating the construction of the propeller and the supporting means therefor; v

. of the body illustrating the construction of' Figure 7 is a front elevation of a portion the undercarriage; and v Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view of one of the undercarriage wheels.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several viewsindicate the same parts.

The preferred embodiment of the invention herein disclosed by way of illustration comprises an airplane having its sustaining and stabilizingplanes and. a portion of its fuselage or body integrally constructed of relatively thin material formed into a light, hollow shell. The material at present presired shape.

- form of construction.

strong character and the ease and economy with which it maybe moulded into the de- The article may be moulded inparts subsequently fused or cemented together at their margins, as well understood in the art, and this method of manufacture may be practiced with a high degree of accuracy and uniformity in the product. But of course from some aspects of the invention, various other modes of construction may be employed. Referring more particularly to the draw ings there is shown in the present instance an airplane preferably of the monoplane type constructed as above described and with an auxiliary frame securedto the body on. which is carried a propeller adapted to be rotated by motive means preferably in the form of an elastic strip or element extending longitudinally of the body and wound by means .at the rear of the latter. like body portion described above is shown at 10 as having in plan view the usual mono- "plane outline but as being relatively thin or plane shaped in elevation. This portion is preferably mouldedof. celluloid integrally with a main sustaining plane formed by laterally extending wings 11 and at the rear The shellterial and of the shell-like or double-walled However it is preferred to further stiffen the walls of this shell by forming therein a series of corrugations 13 substantially parallel with the d1- ion rection of flight and also with transversely extending corrugations 14 which latter are projected inwardly of the wall, as best shown' in Figure 3 to avoid air resistance, as well understood in the art. The above construction embodies substantially the subjectmatter of my copending appllcatlon for patent on to airplanes executed October 9, 1922.

It is aleo preferred to place a. stiffening a spjar of wood or other light, rigid material etween the walls of the-main sustaining plane as shown, this spar having the form of a strip extending substantially from tip to tip of the wings and snugly seated and cemented in a substantially U-shaped depression 14". formed in the upper wing wall, as shown in Figure 3. The bottom of the depressed portion 14: of the upper wall may be secured to the lower wall by providing series of small openings in the latter opposite the depression and brushing in cement. This form of construction aflords a light but rigid article capable of being manufactured with accuracy and uniformity in accordance with aerodynamic principles and of maintaining its proper shape in use.

The above described parts constitute primarily the aerodynamic surfaces of the airplane but the body portion 10 is provided with an attached frame for supporting the propeller and motor means, as well as an undercarriage and a-gravity control or adjustable ballasting device. This frame 16 has the open or outline shape shown'in Figure 1, its upper edge being seated in a recess or channel 17 formed in the under side of the body portion 10. These parts may be so constructed'as to be frictionally or otherwise detachably connected with each other to facilitate disconnection for purposes of compactness in packaging and shippmg, or the frame may of course be cemented in the channel of the body if found preferable. The frame has a forward end 18 in which is provided a bearing 19 for the propeller and to this forward end is also detachably secured the wheeled undercarriage hereafter described.

The propeller, as best shown in Figure 6, has a hub portion formed preferably of a slngle'length of resilient wire bent into sub.- stantially coextensive loops 20 as shown which clamp between them the central portion of a strip 21 of celluloid or other suitable material the ends of which are clirved into the shape of an eflicient propeller blade.

A stiffening piece 22 of any suitable material may be inserted with the propeller strip between the loops or clips 20 of the hub portion and these parts may also be cemented together if desired. The hub comprises also a bearin portion 23 rotating and shdmg longitudina ly in a bearing opening 19 of the frame through which the wire bearing portion projects rearwardly with its rear end bent to supply a loop portion 24 and a spring locking portion 25. The propeller is rotated by motor means comprising preferably a torsionally resilient or elastic element or strip 26 one end of which is secured to loop 24. As may be seen by comparison of Figures 1 and 6, the propeller may be slid forwardly in its bearing to engage the lockmg portion 25 with the frame end 18 and thus temporarily lock the propeller against ing a winding rotation, as, for example, While the motor means is being energized or wound preliminary to a flight. Movement of the propeller rea-rwardly to the position shown in Figure 1 releases the same for rotation.

The motor for rotating the propeller comprises as stated the elastic element or strip 26, of rubber for example, which extends longitudinally in the frame adjacent the rear end 27 of the latter which is also formed with a hearing rotatably and slidably carrydevice in the form of a stem or crank 28 having its end within the frame bent to provide an eye or loop 29 for the attachment of the other end of the elemeans, crank handle 30 is drawn rearwardlyin its bearing and rotated, after which it is moved forward in its bearing either by hand or by the tension of the elastic strip so that it engages the frame and serves as a detent to prevent unwinding of the motor element at this end. The undercarriage is preferably constituted by a single strip of wire 31 bent to form a loop adapted to embrace and grip the forward end 18 of the frame which may be grooved or channeled to receive the wire asshown. The sides of the loop are preferably crossed at the bottom of the frame as shown with the ends of the wire extended laterally in spaced relation, each end being turned horizontally'to provide a journal portion 32 as shown in Figure 8. On each journal is a wire wheel preferably formed from a single length of wire looped at its intermediate portion at spaced points 33 to provide bearings. From each bearing the wire is directed outwardly in the form of a spoke 34 at the end of which it is curved circularly to form the wheel rims, the ends of the wire being turned inwardly and secured as at 35 to the spokes so that a smooth. circular periphery is'formed. This provides a wheel of ample strength and very light weight.

In the types of airplanes in which the stabilizing surfaces are disposedrearwardly of the sustaining surfaces. as distinguished from the type having the stabilizing surfaces in advance, it is preferable to provide weighting or hallasting means forwardly of the sustaining surface in order to bring the center of gravity of the airplane to its proper location substantially over'the center of lift of the. wing. This isaccomplished ing to the frame as at 369. strip 37 preferably of resilient metal extending forwardly for a distance as shown and carrying at its forward end a small weight 38. This end of in the present instance by. pivotally securstrip 37 may be provided with a lug or projection 39 adapted to. be seated in a correand the crank is then held against unwinding movement by engagement with the frame as described. The airplane is then ready.- for flight which is started by releasing the propeller from the frame. The unwinding of element 26 rotates. the propeller at high speed for a considerable period and the airplane talres off from any smooth surface and rises in flight which may be given a circular direction by shifting the weight. 38. The launching is of course facilitated b ".*the provision of the under carriage whe sflfor reducing'the friction in starting.

The construction is rigid and durable in character so that it maintains. its original accuracy of shape and aerodynamic efficiency.

'The motor means is simple and practical in form and convenient to manipulate. The propeller and undercarriage constructions are exceedingly simple and .eflective in'char-i acter and these parts may be readily disassembled for packaging as may also the frame-16 in case'the latter is detachably portion 10. Theassociated Q with the body various parts may be manufactured and assenibled in an economical and .uniformly accurate manner and the airplane as a whole presents a. realistic appearance which may be enhanced by pleasing color schemes! I claim as my invention:

1. A toy airplane comprising a body, a-

sustaining plane, stabilizing dihedral tail planes, said body and planes being integrallyv constructed of material formed into a I light, hollow shell adapted to rigidly 'main and manual means adjacent the'rear end of. said frame for energizing said power. stortainits' shapein use, a-frame carried by said body, a propeller rotatably supported adacent the forward end of said frame, power storing means. for rotating said propeller,

ing means. 1

2. A toy airplane comprising a sustaining plane and a body portion integrally constructed of material formed into a light, hollow shell, and a spar extending lengthwise of saidplane and located within 'the.cross' sectional outline thereof'to stiffen said plane.

3. Atoy airplane comprising-a sustaining material formed into a light hollow shell,

a propeller supported on said body portion,

an energy storing motor for driving said propeller, manual means adjacent the rear of the airplane for energizing said motor anda detachable wire undercarriage for said 4 body provided with spaced journals and a wire Wheel rotatably carried by "each of said journals.

5. A toy airplane comprising a substantially plane shaped body portion, sustaining andstabilizing planes therefor a frame depending from said body portion, a propeller carried by said frame at the forward end thereof, a winding device adjacent the rear end of said frame, an elastic element connected with said winding device and propeller for driving the latter and a wheeled undercarriage on said frame.

J 6. A toy airplane comprising a hollow, shell-like body portion of moulded materlal having a channel formed therein, an open frame depending from said body port1on with its upper edge seated in saidchannel.

and serving to stiffen said body portion, a propeller rotatably carried in the forward side of said frame, a winding stem rotatable in the rear side of said frame, and an elasf tic element connecting said stem and propeller to serve as'a motor for rotating the, latter, said stem having an angular portion adapted. to be drawn into engagement with said frame by said element to prevent unwindingmovement of said stem. I 7. A toy airplane compr1s1n a body, a propeller rotatably carried there y and slidable axially thereon, manually actuated energy storing means on said body for rotating said propeller, and a device on said propeller adapted "to be engaged with sa1d body by sliding said propeller axially 'for' extensive loops, a str1p of. sheet material embraced centrally between said loops" and 'shaped at its ends to serve as a propeller,

said wire'means having a bearing portion rotating in and extending through said bearing opening,'and motor means on sa d body connected with said-bearing portion forrotating said. propeller.

9. A toy a1rp1ane- 'comprising a body provided with a bearing opening, wire'means formed to provide a propeller hub portion forwardly of said bearing and a bearin portion'extending rearwardly through sai bearing opening, propeller means carried by said hub portion, said bearing portion being slidable longitudinally in said hearing opening and provided with means for releasable locking engagement with said body, and motor means on said body connected with said'bearing portion for rotating said propeller.

10. A toy airplane comprising plane and body portions, a. propeller supported on the body portion, manually energized motor means for driving said propeller, and a weight carried by,the forward end of an arm having its rear end pivoted on said body portion for adjustn'ient on said body portion to control the flight'of said airplane.

'11. A toy airplane comprising plane and body portions, a propeller supported on the body portion, manually energized motor means for driving said propeller, an underits central portion mg means and earria e in the form of a length of wire de- 12. A toy airplane comprising plane and-eo body portions, a propeller supported on the body portion, manually energized motor means for drivin said propeller, an undercarriage for said bod provided with spaced journals, and a w eel on each journal formed of a single length of'wirehaving looped to provide bearprovide the spokes and rim.

13. A toy airplane -having a sustainin plane portion integrally constructed 0 moulded material in the form of a light, hollow shell and a reenforcing spar for said plane portion located within the cross sectional outlines thereof for strengthening the same.

RAYMOND E. Down.

its end portions extended to. 

